Can a fluke T90 continuity tester be capable of confirming a new light fixture is good to go or not?

[John Higgins]

Hi guys, I have wired light fixtures and hard wired a lot of cookers in the past, been all fine.

I'm now training to be an electrician, the course itself is level 1 electrical installation.

I have just bought my first continuity tester which is a fluke T90 and wondering if this is good enough to test on light fixtures after wiring to see if it's good to go before turning it on?

Thanks for any answers.

 

[telectrix]

answer is No. you'll need a MFT to perform both dead and live tests, including RCD trip times. then you need to complete installation certificate which entails software.

 

[Baddegg]

Massive recall on them flukes as well John be careful mate...

 

[Pete999]

answer is No. you'll need a MFT to perform both dead and live tests, including RCD trip times. then you need to complete installation certificate which entails software.

The T90 will check for Volts, and continuity, but for anything else as Per Tels post

 

[telectrix]

hi pete. glad to hear about your recovery from your ex health problem.

you now have full permission to join the Borg Collective. .

 

[Pete999]

hi pete. glad to hear about your recovery from your ex health problem.

you now have full permission to join the Borg Collective. .

Thanks for that Tel, any idea when the next cube will be coming this way?

 

[telectrix]

i have it on reliable authority that it will make an appearance at Elex manchester next year... oops.misread the email it's not the Borg, it's NICEIC

 

[Pete999]

i have it on reliable authority that it will make an appearance at Elex manchester next year... oops.misread the email it's not the Borg, it's NICEIC

Same thing mate,they are all Automatons.

 

[telectrix]

 

[John Higgins]

Thanks guys. I've played about with it, well not literally 'played' but you know what I mean. I've tested it in a socket when circuit is live and got 230v. Tried the 2 pins of a b22 ceiling lamp holder while circuit is live, with switch on and off and got 230v when on and does nothing off.

When I try the terminals I get 230v both ways switch on and off, circuit is live.

With circuit off and placing the probes on terminals I think it just does the same as what it would when testing the fluke by putting the two probes together. I guess the current is just going through the fixture and making the fluke do the test thing.

 

[telectrix]

basically, if you put the probes on a live circuit, the t90 will measure volts. L-N, L-E,N-E. on a dead circuit it will give an indication of continuity. it's basically a bang tester.

 

[John Higgins]

Thanks buddy. I was thinking I could use it after wiring the lamp fixture, circuit on but switch off, and see if it gives me 230v or continuity.

The terminals I were referring to were on a light fixture, turned off by the switch but the lighting circuit was still on by the main circuit board.

 

[telectrix]

if the light as are wired 3 plate, the even with the switch off, 1 trminal will still be "live"

aplogosys for the beer spilling spellinge.

 

[Pete999]

if the light as are wired 3 plate, the even with the switch off, 1 trminal will still be "live"

aplogosys for the beer spilling spellinge.

You got Buzz doing your typing Tel?

 

[John Higgins]

Thanks, yes it is 3 plate mate.

Was hoping I got the right kind of tester but nevermind. It's become more clearer what i've got and what I need now that i've been on here so thanks guys.

It will come in handy one day no doubt.

 

[telectrix]

the main funshun od thr t90 is to prove dead or nit.

is ti fat fungres or beer/? ? tihink ill'goo two bed.

spicswervers tomnirrows/

 

[Baddegg]

the main funshun od thr t90 is to prove dead or nit.

Seriously buzz?

 

[Andy78]

Thanks, yes it is 3 plate mate.

Was hoping I got the right kind of tester but nevermind. It's become more clearer what i've got and what I need now that i've been on here so thanks guys.

It will come in handy one day no doubt.

Yes it will come in handy. You always need a voltage indicator or safe isolation.
I appreciate you are just starting out in your training, but reading section 6 of the regs may help with the required tests, and also Chris Kitcher does some clear informative videos on testing ..

chriskitcher - https://www.youtube.com/user/chriskitcher

 

[Andy78]

the main funshun od thr t90 is to prove dead or nit.

is ti fat fungres or beer/? ? tihink ill'goo two bed.

spicswervers tomnirrows/

 

[Baddegg]

Thanks, yes it is 3 plate mate.

Was hoping I got the right kind of tester but nevermind. It's become more clearer what i've got and what I need now that i've been on here so thanks guys.

It will come in handy one day no doubt.

It’ll be more than handy John,it’ll save you from pain and you can’t work on electrical installations without proving dead and safe isolation procedure so you’ll use it a lot

 

[John Higgins]

Thanks again. The reason I thought I would be ok to check with it to see if it's safe is because at college we have been using fluke t5 1000's on the lights we put up on the wooden boards. Been doing one way, 2 way, 2 plate and 3 plate. One light on a board with a consumer unit, using a t5 1000 to test the light. At college though we twist some of the consumer units wires together before testing. Left unconnected from the unit.

 

[Andy78]

Thanks again. The reason I thought I would be ok to check with it to see if it's safe is because at college we have been using fluke t5 1000's on the lights we put up on the wooden boards. Been doing one way, 2 way, 2 plate and 3 plate. One light on a board with a consumer unit, using a t5 1000 to test the light. At college though we twist some of the consumer units wires together before testing. Left unconnected from the unit.

Are you on about R1+R2 testing for continuity of cpc? Would be very surprised if you are being taught to do this using a T5 tester rather than a proper low ohm resistance meter.

 

[Baddegg]

Think he’s referring to “buzzing out cables” ?

 

[John Higgins]

We arent being tought resistors in series in practical but are in theory. I can not remember which wires we connected but earth was one of them. We tested in ohms, did not really pay attention to out else.

 

[John Higgins]

Not as in i didn't pay attention lol, we just focused on ohms and not any other setting. Just did as was told.

 

[John Higgins]

To cut to the chase, say if I wired up a new lamp holder to the ceiling (yes lamps glow bulbs grow lol). If I were to use a tester to see if it is safe and good to go or not, what tester would I use? If there is such tester for such purpose. It's not that I lack confidence, I'm neat when I do stuff and never had a problem. I've Wired variac transformers and put them in cases, lights, cookers and a few other things I can't remember doing but have experience with wires and know being neat is very inportant.

To be honest my course at college has been a mess. We have been juggled about having different tutors pretty much every few weeks and because some students misbehave a lot for some tutors, some weeks at college are a joke. I think at college things should be moving at a quicker pace to be honest. If I want to get to level 2 I have to work hard and revise lots outside college.

One tutor tried explaining about testers a few theory sessions ago but most of the class was just being a pain basically.

Really appreciate the replies, every little helps. Will do a lot of browsing around on here, see what's to learn...

 

[John Higgins]

Think he’s referring to “buzzing out cables” ?

. What do you mean by that??

 

[Baddegg]

As mentioned before John you can’t “test” a circuit with voltage indicators other than proving live or dead, buzzing out identifying cables when you can’t see its entire run by joining 2 cores of a cable together at one end and then testing for continuity at the other end continuity is confirmed by your voltage indicators buzzing/beeping....same as testing R1+R2 but you’d need a multi function tester to perform that “test”

 

[Pete999]

. What do you mean by that??

 

[Pete999]

Sorry that is a carp video, there are others not the T90 but similar in make, up have a look, Just search "how to use a Fluke T90" plenty of other vids, must admit I never watched the one I sent you until after I posted, a Carp video sorry about that.

 

[Pete999]

Thanks, yes it is 3 plate mate.

Was hoping I got the right kind of tester but nevermind. It's become more clearer what i've got and what I need now that i've been on here so thanks guys.

It will come in handy one day no doubt.

Your T90 should be used a lot for Isolation purposes

 

[Pete999]

Thanks, yes it is 3 plate mate.

Was hoping I got the right kind of tester but nevermind. It's become more clearer what i've got and what I need now that i've been on here so thanks guys.

It will come in handy one day no doubt.

Your T90 should be used a lot for Isolation purposes

Hi guys, I have wired light fixtures and hard wired a lot of cookers in the past, been all fine.

I'm now training to be an electrician, the course itself is level 1 electrical installation.

I have just bought my first continuity tester which is a fluke T90 and wondering if this is good enough to test on light fixtures after wiring to see if it's good to go before turning it on?

Thanks for any answers.

John Welcome, If you are currently in training, you could do no better than apply to gain access to the trainee area, doesn't matter how dumb your question may sound to you , or how simple the answer may be, you will get help, without the fear of being ridiculed, for not knowing something, apply to one of the Mods "Westward 10, Sparkychick, Leesparkykent, there are others but it's early and I haven't woken up properly yet, good luck.

 

[Pete999]

Thanks, yes it is 3 plate mate.

Was hoping I got the right kind of tester but nevermind. It's become more clearer what i've got and what I need now that i've been on here so thanks guys.

It will come in handy one day no doubt.

Your T90 should be used a lot for Isolation purposes

Hi guys, I have wired light fixtures and hard wired a lot of cookers in the past, been all fine.

I'm now training to be an electrician, the course itself is level 1 electrical installation.

I have just bought my first continuity tester which is a fluke T90 and wondering if this is good enough to test on light fixtures after wiring to see if it's good to go before turning it on?

Thanks for any answers.

John Welcome, If you are currently in training, you could do no better than apply to gain access to the trainee area, doesn't matter how dumb your question may sound to you , or how simple the answer may be, you will get help, without the fear of being ridiculed, for not knowing something, apply to one of the Mods "Westward 10, Sparkychick, Leesparkykent, there are others but it's early and I haven't woken up properly yet, good luck. You also get a colored icon by your name to donate you as a Trainee,

 

[Pete999]

Thanks, yes it is 3 plate mate.

Was hoping I got the right kind of tester but nevermind. It's become more clearer what i've got and what I need now that i've been on here so thanks guys.

It will come in handy one day no doubt.

Your T90 should be used a lot for Isolation purposes

Hi guys, I have wired light fixtures and hard wired a lot of cookers in the past, been all fine.

I'm now training to be an electrician, the course itself is level 1 electrical installation.

I have just bought my first continuity tester which is a fluke T90 and wondering if this is good enough to test on light fixtures after wiring to see if it's good to go before turning it on?

Thanks for any answers.

John Welcome, If you are currently in training, you could do no better than apply to gain access to the trainee area, doesn't matter how dumb your question may sound to you , or how simple the answer may be, you will get help, without the fear of being ridiculed, for not knowing something, apply to one of the Mods "Westward 10, Sparkychick, Leesparkykent, there are others but it's early and I haven't woken up properly yet, good luck. You also get a colored icon by your name to donate you as a Trainee,

 

[telectrix]

but will he get a Crackerjack pen?

 

[Pete999]

Thanks, yes it is 3 plate mate.

Was hoping I got the right kind of tester but nevermind. It's become more clearer what i've got and what I need now that i've been on here so thanks guys.

It will come in handy one day no doubt.

Your T90 should be used a lot for Isolation purposes

Safe isolation video for you to get your head around JW makes some very good instructional videos

 

[Pete999]

but will he get a Crackerjack pen?

Crackerjack, not many people will know what Crackerjack was Tel, a pity really I know I liked it, never got a pen though, got a Jim'll fix it badge, but NO he never fixed anything for me, thank you very much.

 

[telectrix]

and remember rainbow?

 

[John Higgins]

Thanks so much, just woken up and this got to 3 pages already. I understand the purpose of this tester now and seems there isn't a tester for the purpose i'm looking for.

Again thanks very much. Also I have enough pens ta

 

[Andy78]

Thanks so much, just woken up and this got to 3 pages already. I understand the purpose of this tester now and seems there isn't a tester for the purpose i'm looking for.

Again thanks very much. Also I have enough pens ta

Of course there is a tester for the purpose you are looking for, I'm not clear what that purpose is though yet.
A MFT is the popular choice for most electricians to perform required tests for safety and for fault finding.

 

[John Higgins]

Purpose is to test a new fitted and wired lamp fixture in the ceiling before turning it on. I've just been looking at nultifunction testers, more expensive but may still get one. I know exactly what the T90 is for now and will come in handy in the future. We were told at college that in level 2 the students are advised to buy one anyway.

 

[John Higgins]

Can't thank you guys enough, honestly. Seem to learn more outside college.

 

[telectrix]

have a look on ebay for 2nd hand megger mft with calibration. usually get a good one for around £300. or keep an eye open on the forum. occasionally 1 comes up for sale by a member.

 

[Andy78]

Can't thank you guys enough, honestly. Seem to learn more outside college.

Which college you at ?

 

[Baddegg]

Can't thank you guys enough, honestly. Seem to learn more outside college.

Coupled with college John you’ll learn more on here than you can imagine...

 

[John Higgins]

Not a very good college lol. It's been a joke the way the course has been ran. I won't go further in detail though lol it'll be quite an essay.

I've changed all the lights with no trips etc, all came on first go. My new flat is now complete, got all the lampshades on now.

I will browse around here and see what else I can find online about whatever topic we're doing at college, considering the slow pace we're learning at college especially.

 

[MFS Electrical]

Massive recall on them flukes as well John be careful mate...

Think the T90 was excluded but worth a check anyway. As said by fluke even if you follow safe isolation to the letter they can still be dangerous. Better safe than sorry

 

[John Higgins]

Think the T90 was excluded but worth a check anyway. As said by fluke even if you follow safe isolation to the letter they can still be dangerous. Better safe than sorry

Yes it was excluded and seems to be ok. But, I have read online a couple of threads that have started with their t90 being faulty.